Lead Softgoods Industrial Designer

This is a Remote Position

Job Description

Pakt creates obsessively-designed travel essentials, and we’re looking to hire a full-time industrial/product designer. We are seeking someone with an incredibly refined aesthetic sense and the ability to define, elevate, and implement a distinct visual brand language. Extensive experience with softgoods is a must, along with high creativity, and a passion for both travel and environmentalism.

Our growing product line includes soft luggage and a travel coffee making kit. Our team is small, lean, distributed, and awesome. We have great momentum and now, with your help, it’s time to push to the next level. You would essentially lead the design department while working closely with a project manager, our founder, and several outside design resources. The location is fully flexible to be based wherever you are located, or want to work. Willingness to travel to Asia regularly and for 1-2 weeks at a time is required though.

Our current product offering includes just a few products that were carefully refined before successful launches. The next stage of our company’s growth involves expanding the product line with new products that fill out the line in a logical way while refining and improving existing products. New products will mostly be softgoods but may also include custom molded components and hardgoods.

Environmental and social responsibility is at the heart of everything we do. We strive to produce products that are built to last in as responsible a way as possible. It’s a journey though, and the product design role involves constantly looking for ways to reduce the impact of our products and supply chain. We also avoid plastic in all of our packaging and help other companies do the same through our sister organization SeaHive.

The job will also include graphic, print, and packaging work to support the products and the team. As a startup with lots of varied design tasks, versatility as a designer is a big benefit.

RESPONSIBILITIES:-Product line planning-Production and sourcing management-Regular travel to work with our suppliers who are mostly based in Asia (likely 2-6x per year)-Lead multiple ongoing development projects, in both soft and hard goods, and carry them from concept through production-Evaluate potential manufacturing partners and material suppliers-Plastic-free product packaging design via our collaboration with SeaHive-Some light graphics work for product labels, etc.(we also have outside graphic design resources you would manage for any work not able to be done inhouse)-Ensure that designs meet performance, reliability, cost and quality goals-Constantly seek to refine the company’s product development process through design reviews and coordination with other departments-Develop and implement cohesive design strategies, incorporating research insights and business needs that span touch points across the life cycle of each product

APPLICABLE SKILLS/EXPERIENCE:-Creativity & a sense of humor-5-10 years of product design experience-Softgoods design experience-A refined and “on brand” aesthetic sensibility-Comfortable with remote work including the necessary communication skills and self management that it requires-Hand sketching skills-Adobe Suite proficiency-Interest in experience-focused travel-Interest in both environmental and social responsibility in business-Print file preparation-Plastic and metal part design with a strong manufacturing understanding-3D modeling for both production-ready CAD and photo realistic renderings-3D printed prototyping experience

LOCATION & TERMS:Applicants must be US residents. We are a distributed team with most team members working from home. We may also have options for in studio work, if it suits the new hire better.

This is a full-time role that would start with our standard contractor trial period with intention to transition to salaried with benefits.